Nano Car – the power of foresight

Following lines are taken from Power of foresight, a fine article on foresight of leadership.

"It is essential that leaders are endowed with foresight as it has the power and potential of transforming the industry. In the absence of which, the organization is deprived of opportunity of having a peep at the future even before it actually arrives and reaching there ahead of the competition would certainly be missed. In other words opportunity to create market leadership position in the future is lost. Leaders with foresight can put their organization ahead of competition by changing the very basis of competition and thus charting a path for transforming the industry."

As I was reading the article, I could not help thinking of Nano project of the Tatas.

Power of foresight was exemplified by the Nano project. Ratan Tata’s decision to embark on the challenge of providing the most affordable one Lakh car for the typical Indian middle class was not just another business decision. It is in fact leadership foresight at its best. This “affordable, all whether transport” would not only give other small cars a run for their money but also will compete with two wheelers which served as family transport for typical urban and rural middle class in India.

He generated an all round curiosity about the project by promising the Indians of 1 Lakh car. Time and again, he repeated his promise with a reassurance that come what may, a promise is a promise and would be kept even in the face of odds such as moving his factory midway from Singur and rising costs.

A great innovation from India, which promises to change the way business is done or thought of for two wheelers and low end cars.